Supporting structure



Mal ch c S.

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 21. 192:5

Patented Man 22, 1927.

uNrrEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SUPPORTING STRUCTURE.

Application filed November 21, 1925. Serial No. 70,722.

This invention relates to a metallic supporting structure, particularlyto one which is adapted for use as afence post, and among the objects ofmy invention is to provide a 6 structure of this character, which issimple.

in form, easily and economically manufactured, strong and durable inuse, and one which, when used as a fence post, is particularly adaptedto withstand the lateral stresses 10 to which said posts are. subjected.A further object is to provide a fence post, comprising an anchor andupright U-shaped metal member, which member is provided along its edgeswith laterally and outwardly extending flanges, which flanges not onlygreatly strengthen the member against lateral stresses, but also furnisha convenient means for attachment of the wire 't'abric thereto.

Other advantages will appear from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. l is a frontelevation of the portion of the fence embodying my invention.

Fig. 52 is an enlarged detailed rear elevation of the portion of thestructure shown in Fig. 1, and illustrating the manner in which thefence wire is connected with the fence post, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 3-3, of Fig. 1.

T he fence post consists of an upright member 12 driven into the ground,and to which is secured the fence wire 11. The upright. 12 is of generalU-shape in the cross section, having, however, laterally and outwardlyprojecting flanges 13 extending along the edges at the open end of theU, and at rightangles to the flat portions of the U.

The horizontal strands of the fence wire 11 are secured to the uprightmembers 12, by wire clips 16, which, as shown in Fig. 3, are bent overone of the flanges 13 and thence extend across the open side of the U,thence around the curved portion of the U and around the horizontalstrand of the fence wire, thence again across U and finally bent flanges13.

the open side of the around the other of the secure the greatc itparallel side portions connected by The upright- 12 is formed of steeland is of a shape that may readily be formed by re rolling from old railstock. While this memher 12 may be formed in various sizes, a member ofthe size shown in Fig. 3 is very satisfactory for a fence post. Inthisfigure,

the lower curve of the outer surface of the member 12 is ofapproximately radius, the curve of this same. surface at. the junctineot' the arms of the U with the flanges 13, is

approximately radius, and the thickness of the metal is I find, bytests, that to strength to withstand the lateral stresses to which thepost is subjected, for a given weightof metal per foot, the width of theflanges should be, approximately, the width of the flat portions of theU. "his form of post is considerably stronger than a pipe or a simpleU-shaped member would be. l urthcrmore, the flanges 13 in addition toincreasing the strength ot the member, provide a means for the readyattachment of the wire retaining clip 16. and

the lower portions of the flanges, which are.

in the ground, act as an anchor to hold the postv firmly in place.

\Vhile I have described the member 12 as a fence post upright, it isobvious that this member is adapted to other uses, where it is desiredto employ a supporting or bracing member which will withstand lateralstresses of considerable magnitude.

1 claim A structural member consisting of a rolled steel strip adaptedto he formed by re-rolling, from old rail stock and comprising a centralportion of U-shape having substantially a curved portion formed on aradius which in transverse section is less than the width of said sideportions in said section, and outwardly extendingflanges each of whichhas a width sulr-tantially equal to one. quarter of the width of saidside portions and connected to said side portions by curred portionshaving radii in transverse section greater than the thickness of saidstri material.

CARLETON S HWAB WAGNER.

